Panasonic launches constant-aperture f/2.8 wide zoom for mirrorless
posted Monday, May 21, 2012 at 11:58 AM EST
Panasonic Corp. has today announced its third Lumix G X branded Micro Four Thirds-mount lens, the Panasonic LUMIX G X VARIO 12-35mm/F2.8 ASPH./POWER O.I.S. With the addition of this new model, the premium X-series lens lineup now covers focal lengths from a very generous 24mm-equivalent wide angle to a powerful 350mm-equivalent telephoto, with only a very small gap in coverage between 84mm and 90mm-equivalents.
The new Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm lens is the first X-series model with a continuous, circular aperture, offering a bright f/2.8 across its range. It also carries Panasonic's HD badge, indicating that it features a nearly silent inner focus direct-drive linear motor for continuous auto focusing, and a seamless aperture adjustment, two features that make it very compelling for video capture. Also included is the company's Power O.I.S. image stabilization function, said to be twice as effective as the earlier Mega O.I.S. system. In addition, the lens is weather and dust sealed, and has a metal lens mount.
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The weather-sealed Lumix G X VARIO 12-35mm lens has a constant f/2.8 aperture. Photo provided by Panasonic Corp. |
Optically, the G X Vario 12-35mm has 14 elements in nine groups, of which four are aspheric, and one apiece are UED and UHR elements. Panasonic says the UED (Ultra Extra-Low Dispersion) glass controls chromatic aberration, while the UHR (Ultra High Refractive) glass helps with corner sharpness. Also included is Panasonic's Nano Surface Coating, said to reduce ghosting and lens flare. The G X Vario 12-35mm focuses to just 9.8 inches, for a maximum magnification of 0.17x, and is threaded to accept 58mm filters.
Dimensions are 2.9 inches in length to the base of the lens mount, and 2.7 inches in diameter, while weight without caps and lens hood is 10.8 ounces.
The Panasonic LUMIX G X VARIO 12-35mm/F2.8 ASPH./POWER O.I.S. lens ships from August 2012. Pricing hasn't yet been disclosed. Much more detail can be found in our review of a pre-production model at Imaging Resource sister site, SLRgear.com.
Press Release
Panasonic Introduces New Micro Four Thirds Digital Interchangeable Lens
Panasonic’s Premium LUMIX G X VARIO 12-35mm Lens Offers Exceptional Design, Achieving Increased Functionality for Spectacular Image Quality
SECAUCUS, NJ (May 21, 2012) – Today, Panasonic announced a new digital interchangeable standard zoom lens, the LUMIX G X VARIO 12-35mm/F2.8 ASPH./POWER O.I.S. (H-HS12035). The newest addition to the company’s premium lens brand “X,” which is compatible with the Panasonic LUMIX G Series and complies with the Micro Four Thirds™ system standard, this lens offers a versatile zoom range of 12-35mm (35mm camera equivalent: 24-70mm) and features constant F2.8 aperture brightness at entire zoom range. Suitable for professionals and enthusiasts, this new lens captures a wide range of scenes from dynamic landscapes to available light and studio-lit portraits and features superb image rendering for lifelike textures and crisp edge-to-edge contrast.
The LUMIX G X VARIO 12-35mm/F2.8 ASPH./POWER O.I.S. lens incorporates Panasonic’s unique Nano Surface Coating technology which minimizes reflections at entire visual range (380nm-780nm), resulting in a dramatic reduction of ghosts and flare for extremely clear picture quality. The lens’s newly integrated POWER O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) effectively compensates for both small, fast movement and large, slow movement, making it easy to shoot extremely clear photos even in low-lit situations such as at night or indoors.
Boasting outstanding compactness, the LUMIX G X VARIO 12-35mm/F2.8 ASPH./POWER O.I.S. lens is approximately 73.8mm in length and 10.76oz in weight, resulting in extreme mobility. Additionally with a rubber ring on the lens mount, the new lens is designed to stand up against splash and dust making it ideal for outdoor photography enthusiasts. A highly reliable metal mount endures long time use.
The LUMIX G X VARIO 12-35mm/F2.8 ASPH./POWER O.I.S. lens system is comprised of 14 lenses in nine groups. The UED (Ultra Extra-Low Dispersion) lens minimizes chromatic aberration while the UHR (Ultra High Refractive) lens realizes high descriptive performance from corner to corner. Featuring high contrast and resolution from the center to corner at entire zoom range, the new LUMIX G X VARIO 12-35mm/F2.8 ASPH./POWER O.I.S. lens has the ability to capture the details of scenery or portrait with rich perspective.
The lens’s superior inner focus system provides for excellent resolution and contrast without changing the overall length from full life-size magnification to infinity. Seven blades give the aperture a rounded shape that produces an attractively smooth defocus effect in out-of-focus areas when shooting at larger aperture settings. Adopting an inner focus system driven by a stepping motor, the lens’s superior design provides smooth and near silent focusing action which is ideal for both picture and video recording. When the lens is mounted on any LUMIX G Micro System camera body, users can take advantage of the high-speed, high-precisions Contrast AF (Autofocus) system.
The Panasonic LUMIX G X VARIO 12-35mm/F2.8 ASPH./POWER O.I.S. (H-HS12035) lens will be available in August 2012 . For more information about Panasonic LUMIX digital cameras and lenses, please visit www.panasonic.com/lumix
About Panasonic Consumer Marketing Company of North America
Based in Secaucus, N.J., Panasonic Consumer Marketing Company of North America, a Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America, the principal North American Subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation (NYSE: PC) and the hub of Panasonic’s U.S. marketing, sales, service and R&D operations, offers a wide-range of consumer solutions in the U.S. and Canada. The Company’s portfolio of innovative consumer products ranges from VIERA Full HD 3D Televisions, Blu-ray players, LUMIX Digital Cameras, Camcorders, Home Audio, Cordless Phones, Home Appliances, Wellness and Personal Care products and more.
Panasonic is pledged to practice prudent, sustainable use of the earth’s natural resources and protect our environment through the company’s Eco Ideas programs. Panasonic was the only Consumer Electronics company to be listed in the top ten brands on the Interbrand Best Global Green Brands 2011 ranking. Follow Panasonic on Twitter @panasonicdirect, and additional company information for media is available at www.panasonic.com/pressroom.
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